Seattle Back to Business Program

The Kansas Department of Commerce and Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship (KOA) has realized significant growth in high-wage and high-demand occupations, but there still remains a significant need to engage small businesses essential to the state economic success. This grant specifically targets small businesses with less than 10 full-time employees, and will provide $7,000 one-time grants to support the registration of New Apprentices in high-wage and high-demand occupations.

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to invite Small Research Grant (R21) applications that propose to study the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of human genetics and genomics. Applications may propose studies using either single or mixed methods. Direct involvement of key stakeholders where appropriate is encouraged. These applications should be for small research projects, such as those that involve single investigators. Of particular interest are projects that propose normative or conceptual analyses, including focused legal, economic, philosophical, anthropological, or historical analyses of new or emerging issues. This mechanism can also be used for the collection of preliminary data and the secondary analysis of existing data.

The Prosperity Investment Program (PIP) provides Portland businesses and commercial property owners with reimbursable matching grants of up to $75,000 to fund tenant improvements and small to large scale building improvements. Administered by Prosper Portland, the program covers up to 75 percent of approved project hard and soft costs, with the grantee responsible for the remaining 25 percent match. PIP is designed to support business competitiveness and property redevelopment in order to increase access to quality employment, foster wealth creation through business ownership, and build healthy, vibrant commercial corridors. Eligible hard costs include signage, lighting, storefront improvements, mechanical systems, tenant improvements, roofs, sidewalks, parking lots, landscaping, and other permanent fixtures. Eligible soft costs (capped at $25,000) include architectural, engineering, environmental, market, or financial analysis services associated with physical construction. To qualify, properties must be located within one of Portland's eligible Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts (Central Eastside, Gateway Regional Center, Interstate Corridor, Lents Town Center, Old Town, or North Macadam), be zoned for commercial, mixed use, employment, industrial, or multi-dwelling use, and have all property taxes and debt payments current. Each TIF district has its own action plan priorities that guide grant review, ranging from preserving industrial maker space and retail activation in Central Eastside to supporting historic preservation and retail vibrancy in Old Town. National franchises, locally owned franchises with more than three locations, nonprofits (except those located in Old Town), businesses that exclude minors during business hours, and any work completed before a grant agreement is executed are not eligible. A grant recipient or property may only receive one PIP grant every five years.

The Enthuse Foundation Pitch Competition awards women-owned food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) businesses with a total prize package valued at over $180,000, including $28,000 in direct cash prizes across three prize tiers plus significant in-kind business services. Administered by the Enthuse Foundation, a nonprofit that supports women entrepreneurs, the annual pitch competition selects five finalists from a competitive pool of applicants (recent cycles have drawn more than 320 applications) who pitch their businesses live in New York City to a panel of industry judges, with an in-person audience of 150 people and additional viewers online. The prize structure includes three tiers. The Grand Prize includes $15,000 in cash with no strings attached, plus in-kind business services from Enthuse, for a total prize package valued at $90,000 or more. The Runner Up receives $10,000 in cash with no strings attached, plus in-kind business services from Enthuse, for a total prize package valued at $85,000 or more. The Audience Choice award (presented by Kendra Scott SoHo and Launch Grow Exit) provides $3,000 in cash with no strings attached, along with quarterly mentoring and business strategy meetings with the founder of Launch Grow Exit (valued at $3,000), for a total prize package of $6,000. All five finalists gain the opportunity to pitch their businesses in Manhattan and access valuable exposure to potential investors, industry partners, and customers. To qualify, applicants must own a business that is at least 51 percent women-owned, produce a physical product in the food, beverage, or CPG space (including wellness, beauty, and similar categories), be U.S.-based with a primary market in the United States, and have at least one founder who is a U.S. citizen. The business must have generated between $100,000 and $999,000 in annual revenue and been in operation for less than four years. Previous grant winners and pitch competition finalists may apply if they still meet the eligibility criteria. Finalists must be available to attend the live in-person pitch night in New York City (stipends are provided for out-of-town finalists), participate in the Foundation's on-site marketplace, send product samples if selected, and remain connected to the Enthuse Foundation on an ongoing basis by providing annual revenue information to the organization.

The Workplace Accessibility Grant Program promotes employment and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities through investment in accessible workplaces. It provides a 100% reimbursement for eligible costs up to $5,000 per calendar year. All Rhode Island employers with fewer than twenty-five (25) employees and who meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the program guide may apply.